Bobbin loading machine



Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 6, 1956 m. m m 1 w. @N \mf\m MLN ffm@ Geoizea E. REPASS A TTORNE YO Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPAss 2,856,740

BoBBIN LOADING MACHINE Y Filed Jan. s, 195s e sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.Grossa E. EEPnss A TTORNE Y 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. GEORGE B12512955A TTORNE Y AQ?, Mw

Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN lLomme MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1956 Oct.2l, 1958 Q E REPASS 2,856,740

BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Gaone: E.EEPnss A TTORNE Y INVENTOR.

Oct. 21, 1958 G. E. REPASS BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE s sheets-sheet 5 FiledJan. 6, 1956 I Effi/149 i'. U U W @i 1N VEN TOR. GEORGE E. REPAS@ ATTORNE Y Oct. 21, 1958 Q E REPASS 2,856,740

BOBBIN LOADING MACHINE Filed Jan. e, 1956 e shets-sheet 6 INVEN TOR.Gauner: E. Ramas A TTORNE Y nited States Patent() P BOBBIN LOADINGMACHINE George E. Repass, Hopedale, Mass., assignor to DraperCorporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Application January6, 1956, Serial No. 557,799

22 Claims. (Cl. S31-61) This invention relates to a machine for loadingtextile bobbins in magazines for use on automatic, lling replenishinglooms.

it is a general object of the invention to devise a complete machine towhich lling wound or other bobbins may be fed and which shallautomatically load these bobbins into magazines of a type in whichcolumns or vertical ber of bobbins rapidly and without violent handlingor without dropping the bobbins more than a few inches so that thereshall be no likelihood of incomplete or retarded action due to cocked orwedged bobbins.

A further object is that of automatically counting oif the exact numberof bobbins for each cell or channel in the magazine and of indexing themagazine and advancing it from channel to channel under the influence ofgravity.

It is another object to devise such means that may be set to feeddifferent sized bobbins and different numbers thereof per cell in themagazine without changing more than a minimum of control parts.

Another object is that of providing automatic stop means effective uponfailure of a bobbin to proceed through the machine in intended fashion,also ejecting means for improperly oriented bobbins. Y

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from' the followingmore detailed disclosure.

In automatic, bobbin-changing looms for weaving it has been suggestedthat instead of the conventional rotary battery or cradle, a preloadedmagazine be brought to the loom and placed thereon to cooperate with thereplenishing means of the loom in feeding its supply of bobbins to theshuttle as needed. This system has several advantages in that a largernumber of bobbins can be handled at one time making it necessary toattend any particular loom less frequently and these magazines may alsoserve to transport the bobbin and in instances, serve as a receptaclefor bobbins while the thread is being steamed or otherwise treated. Onereason such systems have not been widely accepted is that too much timeis required to load the bobbins in the magazine which, to be effective,must be of a type to hold about one hundred bobbins and must becompartmented and constructed to feed the bobbins to a battery in anorderly fashion.

According to the invention herein described and claimed, magazines withvertically disposed channels are used so that the bobbins are arrangedin columns and released, one column at a time, to feed down into abattery, the magazine being indexed to the next column automatically.

These magazines are subject matter of copending application Serial No.528,928 tiled August 17, 1955, now United States Patent No. 2.778,3 82,and feed to batteries of the general type shown in United States Patent2,566,- 880. The bobbins employed and to be handled in this loadingmachine are preferably, although not necessarily, lling wound and areformed with a so-called tip bunch and tail wind all as described inUnited States Patent 2,558,198.`

The instant loading machine provides means to index and otherwisecontrol the advance of magazines in general horizontal position with thebobbin receiving channels generally upright beneath the loader properwhich includes a counting means, a conveyor to feed bobbins, one at atime, through the counter and to an accumulator by which a given numberof bobbins is temporarily assembled in a loading channel preparatory tobeing lowered into an aligned cell of the magazine.

Instead of dropping these accumulated. bobbins into the magazine, asupport is so controlled as to rise into each channel or cell of themagazine as it is loaded, to a point just beneath the assembled group ofbobbins whereupon, when they are released, the support controls theirdescent into the magazine so that they move slowly and without the shockand general tendency to disturb the wound package which would beexperienced if they were allowed to fall freely. It is also eiiiectivein preventing cooking or tilting of bobbins, a thing which always occursif they are dropped freely for anything more than a few inches.

The counting mechanism is supplemented by and governs an indexingcontrol for the magazine which also functions from one magazine toanother so it is merely necessary to place empties at one end and removefull containers at the other.`

The invention will be described in detail by reference to one specificembodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures ofdrawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a complete loading machine.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 2a is an enlargement of mechanism at the top of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the conveyor discharge, counter andaccumulator.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the movable bobbin lowering support andcontrol therefor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view further illustrating details of the mechanismof Fig. 4 and also the indexing and a positioning lock means for themagazines.

Fig. 5a is a plan view of certain details of the locking means of Fig.5.

Fig. 5b is an elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 5a.

Fig. 5c is a detail of the escapement pawl.

Fig. 6 shows parts of the mechanism of Fig. 5 as seen in section.

Fig. 7 isa partial section at line 7 7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of the conveyor and control meansthereat.

Fig. 9 shows the mechanism of Fig. 8 ejecting a bobbin which has beeninserted -in reversed relationship.

Fig. 10 shows the machine being stopped by a superimposed bobbin.

Fig. 10a is a detail view of part of the bobbin ejecting means.

Fig. 1l is a perspective view showing a stop motion which functions whenno magazine is in position to be loaded.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine is built upon a frame havingside members 20 at the lower end kand 21 at the top interconnected bythree uprights 22, 23 and 24 at either side. These are tied togetherlaterally by end members 25 at the top and 26 at the Patented Oct. 21,1958.

bottom, feeding 'end of the machine and other lateral members atappropriate positions along the structure.

The lower rails 2b are extended as at 27 at the delivery end to sustainone end of a `pair of inclined track members 2S and 29, Figs. 4, 5 'and6, also, further supported along their length by the various uprightposts. These track members have a numberof rollers journaled in bearingholes therein. Each roller Ihas reduced ends 31, Fig. 7, thus borne anda snap ring or vother retaining means to prevent withdrawal. The rollersare close enough together 'so that a magazine-three of which 'areindicated generally by the letter M-ma'y be 'supported to 'travel bygravity "along the length ofthe machine 'as will be described. These are'insertedon a platform '32 and in front of a vertical 'stop 33, and maybe pushed into place on the 'roller trac'kbeing stopped 'in properposition to descend under theinuence of gravity by a side guide b'ar 34which'i's attached to rail 29 by Vseveral angle brackets 35.v At thefront a similar b ar 36 yis attached by brackets 37 to rail 28. Themagazinesar'e constrained to progress 'down th'etra'ck while beingmaintained within lateral limitsbythese bars.

The extensions 27 are further'provided 'for carrying their load bybraces 38'and 39,"Figs. land 2, connected to the uprights 24 and to theextensions near their ends. 2

An end cross member40 acts as Aa stop for filled magazines, one of whichis shown 'in that position, Fig. l.

Adjacent the central part of the 'machine at lwhich the 'actual loadingtakes place, there is provided an accumulator b'et'ter shown in `Fig; 3.slotted guides 41 in a 'nearly vertical position, but actuallyperpendicular "to the track 'on which magazines move. There is one guideat each side, "thatat 'the near side in Fig. 3 being slotted to guidethe y"bobbin tips, while a similar guide at `the opposite 'side -has `aWider slot for the bobbin butts. Thelower `ends of these guidesterminate just above the passing `magazines"while the top ends arepositioned to receive bobbins .from a' conveyor generally Iindicatedbynume'ral 42. This conveyor will be described in detail in due course.V

The accumulator includes, in addition to 'the Avguides, moving supportmeans in the'form 'of "plates 43 which move along and down in thedirection -of the guides to hold a number of 'bobbins 'equalto thenumber to be loaded in each cell of the magazine. These plates are fixedto spaced links "of chains k2M-and"45,""Figs. 2, 2q and 3, guided over anumber of sprockets and driven by a larger sprocket `461'fixedv to'shaft 47;Thelatter'is rotatable in bearings in brackets 48 attached tothe guides 41', in 'turn'secured to r'a'ils 21""by brackets 49;"

These chains are so jguided by `sprockets""50 "51 and 52 that a runofthe chain longeno'u'ghto"accommodate the greatest numberof'b'obbirfstoibe yloaded in'onefcell passes parallel to the guides. Thetotalchain length is selected so as to be fou`r"times Athe"distancerequired between successive plates, v'although Ait"c`ouldv be 'three ormore times that. vVJhileonechain44 andits sprockets are shown in Fig. 3,it is to be understood that'cha'in 45 is behind it and identicallyeonstructed'aud guided. V The plates 43 are held by both chains `andareof a length to support by contact with the Ventire-control vportion ofthe'bobbin package.

Conveyor 42 is inclined -upwardly from a 'hopper 53 and comprisesparallel i chains 554 between which :and carried by which are a numberof plates Iortreads S5 of angularlform and so spaced nas to leave rroomfora bobbin to be carried between them. These operate between sidemembers 56 which arecurved as shown and which attach at their ltop Aends.to' the guides 41 by bolted extensions 57. Chains 54 run over sprockets5,8` on shaft 59 at the top and are driven at theirlower e'ndsbysprockets 60 fixed on shaft 561. lAgain these parts are duplicated ateach side and numerals are applied only at the front as viewed in thefigures. i

rihere are actually only Ithree functions of the loader This compriseswhich are power operated, these being the conveyor and the timing 'andaccumulating units which are driven from shaft 47. To advance thesemechanisms a motor 62, Figs. l and 2, is mounted at the rear side of themachine on a platform 63 and by a V-belt 64 drives a jack shaft 65. Thisbelt is trained over a small pulley 66 on the motor shaft and a largerone 67 on shaft 65. The latter shaft also has fixed thereto sprockets 68and 69 over which run chains '70 and 71. Chain 70 drives a largesprocket 72 rotatable on a short stud shaft 73, while chain 71 runs `toanother sprocket 74 fixed to the end of shaft 61 which is the drivingshaft for conveyor 42.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the shaft 47 has fixed at the rear ofthe machine a ratchet wheel or disk 75 by which the shaft and timingparts carried by it are advanced step by step as bobbins areaccumulated. At its apposite @ad (the from 0f the machine) there are astop or :index disk 76 and a camdisk 77. Thereare the same number ofindexing grooves 78 inthe disk 76 as there are teeth on the ratchet diskand the number is governed by 'and should equalthe number of bobbinswhich are to be loaded in a 'single magazine cell.

The cam disk 77 lixed to the extreme end of shaft 47 is provided with aconcentric periphery for about twothirds of its circumference and has acam face 79, a drop-off'point 8i) and a cam 81 attached at its outerface and another cam 82 at the inner face. The purpose of all these camswill be made clear inthe following description.

The 'indexing disk 76 has 'a cam 83 xed to its outer face forcontrolling the magazine indexing. Th@ 1305i'- tions 'of these 'cams arecapable'of 'beingvaried within limits 'for ltiming purposes.l t

'Now 4returning to Figs. l, 2,21; and 3, the shaft '47 and parts 'iixedfor rotaton"therewith:are advanced counterclockwise asviewed in theiigures Sprocket 72, continuously drivemhas a crank pin 84 to which isVhinged a connecting rod 85 the opposite .end of which ispivoted atlth'evfree end of an arm 86,' fixed to a shaft"'87 to which is also fastenedfor Aswinging'movement anarin $8. The latter is connected to alink 89the opposite end of which lis pivoted at 90 to an arrn91freely"pi'v/'otable on shaft 47 `and carrying a vclaw '92 fpivotedat`and hav-Y ing an extension 94 terminating in an 'enlarged'y endin whichis set a pin 95. Theflink. 89`isslotted`at'its lower end and the forceof the pulling action incidental to nioyeinent 'of arm 88'istransmittedtothe'link through a spring 96 attached to the arm 88 'or to'the'pivot and to the central portion of thelinkat .97.Thus'the'in'dexings'top for the disk 76'rnaylirnitthe ratcheting motionprecisely while the swing `of arm 88: is adjusted tosoniethinggreater'than the movement required.

' According to'the :set up herein taken by way of example, ftwelvebobbins `are accumulated and loaded in each `magazine cell and thusthere are ktwelve clawing motions imparted to the vratchet disk. If adiierent number of bobbins is to 'be' loaded at each cell, then disks 75and 76 'are 'changed and willhave the same number of teeth anddepressions `as .the'bobbins accumulated. Of course, that will changethe effective stroke ofthe claw, 'but armSS is `so moved as to .give thegreatest movement required while spring'96 permits the link andclaw'tomove only as,l far as required 'for a single ratcheting movement of thecams.

The'indexing lock consists of a roller 98 at theend of an arm 99 pivotedat 100 on 'a depending bracket 101. This armis urged upwardly by aspring 102 connected at the end of the arm and to an eyebolt or othermeans'attached at the end 4of thebra'cket 4S. The roller engages inthegrooves 78 temporarily lockingthedisk and entire timing .assembly inposition at each ratcheting movement, but does not-prevent affairlyleasy movement of the assembly under influence of theclaw 92.

The above described, periodic .motion imparted to the shaft 47 andattached parts is governed by the de` livery of bobbins from theconveyor 42 to `the accumulator and that control is exercised through acounting means. Each bobbin as delivered by one of the treads which goto make up to conveyor apron passes under a restraining spring 103carried on extension 104 of vertical support 105 and then past acounting arm 106 pivoted at 107. This arm has a curved end 108 whichbears against and is moved outwardly by a passing bobbin. Pivot 107 inthe form of a short spindle also has an arm 109 fixed to it and thisarm, curved as shown, rests upon a stop pin 110 in vertically.adjustable bracket 111, except when raised by a bobbin passing beneathcounter shoe 108. The conveyor treads are notched centrally to pass theshoe 108 without contact between the parts. The end 112 of this curvedarm bears upon the pin 95 by which it normally holds arm 94 downwardlyand claw 92 out of engagement with the ratchet disk. Of course, the claw92 is continuously reciprocated but may impart a movement to the diskand other parts on shaft 47 only when arm 109 is lifted by a bobbinpassing under shoe 108. The curvature and extent of that shoe is suchthat it elevates the arm 109 long enough for the claw to effect onecomplete ratcheting motion and then drops to raise it out of actionuntil vthe next bobbin passes. The curve of the end 112 of the armcooperates with the combined movement of other parts to keep claw 92 atabout the same distance from the ydisk 46 except when it is in activeengagement therewith.

While it is conceivable that the claw will fall by gravity except whenpositively raised and that shoe 108 and arm 109 normally tend to fall,springs (not shown) are preferably employed to make more certain theaction of the parts, A coil spring at the hub of the claw and arm 94 atpivot 93, however, is of `less strength than a similar one at pivot 107so that the arm 109 always dominates unless a bobbin is being counted byshoe 108.

As the bobbins are advanced by the conveyor to pass under shoe 108, theyare dofed from the conveyor -by end guards 113, one at either end of thebobbin just outside the treads 55. These extend under the plane of theconveyor apron at the top7 but guide bobbins forwardly to clear theconveyor and into the vertical accumulator guide members 41. A weighted,V-shaped member having a bobbin engaging lip 114 and a depending part115 at the end of which is a weight 116 serves to level and slow up thefall of the bobbins. This member is merely hung on the top edges of theguard at that side of the bobbin channels.

The indexing means for the magazines is so devised as to stop an emptymagazine in position to start loading and to permit it to advance onecell at a time as loading continues, then to release it and to positionthe next magazine. entirely by gravity and since that maylag a little ornot be too forceful, a positioning lock is employed along with a doublepawl escapement.

The magazines themselves are fitted with a rail 117 at the side at whichthe control is effective, this rail being notched to leave projectionsor lugs 118. The leading end of the rail is raised or widened all asshown in Figs. 5 and 5a to present an initial stopping abutment 119.There are as many projections 118 as there are cells to be loaded in themagazine. Here eight are used.

As seen in Figs. l and 5, combined brackets 120 and 121 mounted on thetrack member 28 carry a double pawl 122, better shown in Figs. 5a, 5band 5c, which has a first pawl 123 and a second 124 which act as thepawls of an escapement in connection with the projections 118. Thesepawls are abount one and one-half projections apart. A third pawl orstop 125, shorter than-pawl 123 and extending laterally, functions onlyat the rst indexing from cell one to cell two. The double pawl ispivoted at 126 to the bracket 121 and The movement down the roller rampis' 6; is connected to, or forms a part of an extension or arrn 127 towhich is connected a control link 128.

Bracket 121 has two projecting arms 129 and 130 through which abutmentscrews 131 and 132 are threaded. These stop or limit the angularmovement of the pawls and may be adjusted and locked in position. Whenpawl 123 is lowered to engage a projection 118, the pawl 124 will beraised above the projections, and viceversa. Thus to index a magazinefrom one cell to the next, it takes two movements of the pawl, one bypulling the link 128 up and then one by lowering it. The magaine movesabout one-half a cell length ata time.

When a magazine first `cornes down the roller ramp, or when magazineschange as a full one is released, the pawl 124 is in lowered position toengage the rst lug 113. The first cell will then be in position to beloaded. At the first move, that is, as the second cell is brought up,the double pawl escapement cannot function normally since there is nolug for the pawl 123 to work upon at the time. At that time, or as thepawl 124 is raised from its lug, the latch engages the initial orspecial stopping abutment 119. Then on the return or second escapementmovement, that releases and the pawl 124 engages lug number two of themagazine, the second cell then being in place.

Since the magazines move by gravity, there may be a slight lag at timesor a failure for a lug 118 to be in exact engagement with the pawl 124.To obviate any trouble which might occur as a result, a positioning lock133 at the end of arm 134 of a two-armed lever pivoted at 135 and havingits other arm 136 connected to both a link 137 and a spring 138, isadapted to enter between each pair of lugs 118 as the magazine isindexed, thereby to lock it in position. If the magazine is not fullyadvanced the lock being wedge shaped will force it into that position. v

Now having described these indexing devices, the control therefor isderived from cams in the timing group and to that end, the cam 83 ondisk 46 acts on a lever 139 pivoted at 140 and connected to link 128 tocontrol the double pawl. TheV cam 82 at the inner side of disk 77 actson an arm 141 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 142, the other arm 143 ofwhich is connected to spring 138. This cam tensions the spring to pullthe locking lever into position. Actually, this cam functions during twomoves of the ratcheted parts as will be explained. A spring 144connected to lever 139 tends to pull it down and to maintain pawl 124 inengagement` with lugs cam 83 is effective. The positioning lock 133 israised by gravity, the heavier end 136 weighted by link 137 quicklyraises the end 133 as soon as the tension in spring 138 is relaxed. j

The large ends of bobbins naturally may be passed 118 except when fromthe accumulator guide to the magazine cells withi out difficulty andthere is little danger of that end of the last bobbin remaining in aposition above the top of the magazine. However, the small ends are alittle less predictable and at times the top bobbin may rest with itstip slightly above the intended position. That does no particular harmexcept it could jam against the guide 41 at that side as the magazine isindexed. To remove that possibility, a trap 145 is hinged at 146 andextends in front of a cut out part or gap through which a bobbin tip maymove when the trap is free to swing, but which acts to close the gap atall times when bobbins may be in process of moving from the guides 41 toa cell. v

The link 137, as better seen in Fig.'3, is lifted when the latch is inlower position and vice versa. The upper end of the link is slotted at147 to slide on and be guided by the pivot 146. It also has a hook 148which locks the trap in place when the link is raised, or when assumo '7the trap is released so that it may not interfere when the magazine isindexed.

When the prescribed number of bobbins is accumulated they are releasedas will be described and without more than has been included to thispoint would be dropped to the bottom of the cell in the magazine, thatbeing something not desirable since the rough handling is not to betolerated from .the point of view of damage to the wound package. Also,a drop of that distance is likely to result incocking of a bobbin orbobbins until their ends escape from the guiding channels in which theyare to be retained.

To overcome these, a movable support is elevated in the cell to beloaded, to a point just below the lowermost bobbin in a group and as thegroup is released they fall to that support which is so governed as tolet them descend ata greatly reduced speed as compared to a free falland thus to prevent any tendency they have for one end to move downfaster than the other.

Such means may take different specific forms, but in order to avoidadding to the machine height, a flexible elevating means is used.Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 6, a bar or support 149 extends acrossbetween the roller rails 23 and 29 and has its ends notched verticallyas at 150 so that when raised, the bar will be guided by the edge 151 ofthe channel of the cell then aligning with it and to be loaded. Each endis the same except the position of the notch at the end of the smallerchannel (that lfor bobbin tips) is nearer the center of the bar. Thisbar has set into it adjacent each of its ends a flexible member 152 and153 which is adapted to exert considerable force under compression. Aclosely wound spring has been found to work very satisfactorily and,while sufficiently flexible, will also support the weight of the bobbinswithout appreciable deection.

At the other end these springs 152 and 153 are fixed in a bar 154 theends of which are guided to slide freely in grooves in the members 155and 156, Figs. 1, 6 and 7. The springs 152 and 153 are guided overrollers or sheaves 157, around larger sheaves 158 to make about a .f

90 turn and then upwardly within sheaves 159. These are all freelyrotatable on shafts carried in plates 160. In Figs. 6. and 7, thesepar-ts are shown in full lines while at the opposite or front of themachine, the same par-ts are evident, but largely .in dotted lines. Aspring 161 running along the lower part of the framework connects to adepending lug 162 and to a fixed part of the machine at the oppositeend. This spring is strong enough to elevate the support 149 and. tomov-e the other par-ts, but will not maintain them raised when theweight ofthe bobbins is brought to bear on them. However, it is strongenough to make the. parts return slowly even when loaded with thebobbins.

To control this device a lever having a very long arm 163 ispivoted at'142, Figs. 11, 2a, 3. and 6, and has its lower end offset laterally at164 and then downwardly` at 165 tovconnect by pin 166. to. the cross bar154, Figs. 2 and 4. Thel spring 16.1 is connected tothe bar by a harness167 which maintains it perpendicular tothe path of travel'.

The lever is forked 'represent armsA 16S and 169 at the opposite-side ofpivot 1,42.' Each carries a roller fol. lower 170 or 171, as the casemay be,A and the arm 169 and its follower 171 are affected by cam disk77 while follower 170, does not extend far enough in to engage the diskbut is acted upon by the cam 81,.l rlfhis follower is adjustable alongthe arm 168. In operation the follower 171 falls from point 31B of camdisk 77 and the spring 161 then moves the entire structure just abovedescribed Vuntil the bar 149is in nearly its top position. At the timethe accumulated bobbins are released, cam 81 affects follower 170- andlswings arms V1615Y andI 163 to raise and hold the parts in extremeposition. The next move releases the follower from that cam sol theparts may return as the cell is loaded. Y

A stop 172 limits movement in that direction as fol- 8 lower 171 -ismoved by the cam surface 79 to the periphery of the disk. A weight W onarm 173 counterbalances the load to some extent to prevent accelerationas the bobbins are lowered to the bottom of the magazine.

The motor is controlled 4by the usual switch to start an to stop it. Amanual `control to start and stop the ma chine itself consists of a rod174. Figs. 1 and 3, which is connected by means (not shown) to a clutchwhich interconnects the motor with the jack shaft 65. This rod iscarried in bearings 175 at the upper frame member 21. Control knobs andarms 176 are provided at spaced points so the operator may start andstop the machine from any position along its length at the front' side.

Automatic stopping means is provided and functions to stop the machineupon attempted conveying of two bobbins in a recess in the conveyorapron, or upon any bob? bin ridingl in a lcrossed position, and to ejectall bobbins improperly oriented without stopping the machine.

Now referring to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 10a, a combined means foraccomplishingy these purposes includes a plate 177 hinged at the yside178 to overlie the conveyor channel and apron. Bobbins carried in theconveyor compartment pass beneath this plate with a slight clearance,but if a bobbin is travelling in raised position due to there be. ingtwo, in a compartment or a bobbin in a crossed position, it will push upon the inclined leading edge 179 of the plate lifting it about hinge17S. The front side of the plate has depending therefrom a hooked arm180 which connects to an arm V181 through pin 182. The arm 181 is partof a bell crank pivoted at 183 and having a curved, depending arm 184which engages a projection 185 from shaft 174.. When the` plate, islifted as described, the lower end of arm 184 presses the projectiondownf wardly swingingl shaft 174 to a position to stop the loader.

It is intended that all bobbins be passed through the machine withbobbin butts to the rear and tips adjacent the front, If a bobbin isdirected reversely, it does not lift the plate. Normally,- the tips ofbobbins pass over an elevating cam 187, at a gap 188 between the end 189of plate 177 and the initial edge 19.0 of a triangular shaped plate 191,Figs. 9, l0 and 10a, and then drop and pass. under the second mentionedplate. However, when the larger or butt ends of the bobbins pass the camthey are raised so that they engage the front edge 190 with most oftheir bulk above it;l that then further elevates that end of the bobbin.and in combination with the inclined edge 192 of plate 17,7, the curvedupper ends 193 of the conveyor apron treads 55 andy aV flipping spring194, lifts and twists the bobbin to the top of; plate 177. Itis thenguided by abutments 19,5, 196 and 19,7 to roll or slide down and to theside of plate 1 77 and to fall into a container 19,8.

Now having describedl the mechanism, the operation will hel reviewed. Asshown, the camming and timing devices are set up to load twelve bobbinsin each column or cell and let us assume that that number of bobbinshave been accumulated in guides 4.1. At that time one of the plates 43will be coming over sprockets 50 to receive the first bobbin of the nexttwelve. Of course, the Conveyor is continuously running and is beingfed,preferably by some .automatic means, although bobbins may be fed ing byhand. It is not Inecessary to have a bobbin in each conveyor recesssince the counting means functions only whenV a bobbinl passes and thus,it takes twelve bobbins and not necessarily any particular number ofconveyor steps to complete a cycle.

When bobbin #l is fed under shoe 108 the arm,109 is lifted so that claw92L acts on disk 75 to advance it a step along with other parts movingwith it. The plate 43 is thereby brought to a horizontal position justin time to catch this rst bobbin. The bobbin is released from theconveyor and drops to the lip 114 of the Weighted mem# ber, includingarm 115 and weight 116, by which it is retarded in its travel.

This first move also releases the load of accumulated bobbins whichdescend into their cell. The support 149 ratcheted another step but nofunction other than the accumulation of the second bobbin is evident.

At bobbin #3 the parts move so `that cam 82 releases the arms 141 and143 to release spring 138 whereupon the weight of parts as describedlifts the lock 133 to unlock the magazine preparatory to indexing. Thedisk cam 79 also engages roller 171 to force the support to fullyretracted position and hold it there.

Bobbin #4 does nothing-but to advance the timing one movement.

Bobbin #5 effects a further movement to bring cam S3 onto lever 139 andto pull upwardly on link 128 to raise pawl 124 and to lower the oppositeend, that is, pawls 123 and 125. If the first cell was being loaded,then this motion results in the magazine rolling forwardly until thepawl 125 stops it by its contact with special lug 119. If at any othercell, then the magazine will be stopped as a lug 118 contacts pawl 123.The indexing is actually about one-half a cell in length.

Bobbins #6 and #7 have no further effect than to advance the mechanismand this time may be used in letting the magazine come forwardly bygravity. If sluggish, this may be of value but normally the action doesnot require so much time as is provided.

At #8 the lever 139 is released and the pawl escapement reverses itsposition so that the magazine completes indexing as the next lug 118 isstopped against pawl 124.

Bobbin #9 gives the magazine time to move.

Bobbin #10 brings cam 82 around to contact arm 141 thereby tensioningspring 138 and moving the lock 133 into position to engage the lug 118between it and pawl 124. This may actually help in indexing themagazine. The mass of the magazine, especially when it is full, isconsiderable so it takes time for it to move.

Bobbin #l1 is effective in moving the cam 82 still farther to tightenspring 138 more until the magazine is fully indexed. The support is nowraised since cam point 80 runs past roller 171. The spring 161 andweight W force the support, springs 152, 153, etc., to the activeposition.

As bobbin #12 comes to position at the top of the stack of twelvebobbins, the cam 81 acts upon follower roll 170 and moves the long lever163 all the way to raise the support completely if it should not be inthat position already. The irst action was only a releasing accompaniedby a spring and weight acting to force the parts to position. It neednot act with too much precision, but the second step, that controlled bycam 81 does act to position the parts very denitely.

After the twelfth bobbin, the cycle is repeated.

When a magazine is iilled completely, the indexing means releases it andcatches the next magazine which should be in position ready to moveahead as the lilled one passes to the end of the roller track.

If the occasion arises, the machine is stopped by a misplaced bobbinacting upon the cover 177, or an improperly directed bobbin is ejectedby cam 187, plate 191 and spring 194. l

In the event larger bobbins are to be handled and the same magazinesused, the disks 75 and 76 are changed to have fewer teeth and notchesrespectively and the number may be reduced to about eight and possiblyseven moves although for the normal height of a magazine, bobbins maynot be used in any loom which would require less than nine or ten movesthereby making it possible to retain the idle moves at times when themagazine is indexed. k

When the support rises and lever 163 swings under iniiuence of spring161 and 1weight W; there may be a tendency for a swing in the returndirection until the cam 81 becomes eiective. That is avoided by use of africtional damping means acting on the lever, for example, a leaf springor `springs pressing against the sides of the lower part of the lever asit swings to prevent such tendency to rebound. t

Referring to Fig. 11, a means for stopping the machine upon failure of amagazine to advance to loading position will be described. This mayoccur due to neglect or inability of the attendant to feed magazines tothe loader as required.

The rocking motion of control rod 174 is lcarried to the clutch or otherpower transmission means through an arm 199, link 200 and arms 201 and202 fixed to pivot shaft 203. A rod 204 connected at pivot 205 andpassing through guide 206 is spring controlled by a compression spring207 to form with arm 201 an overcenter means by which the power orclutch control is maintained in on or ol positions.

A stopping means includes a moving actuator 208 fixed to sleeve 209pivoted on stud 210 on bracket 211 and a detent pivoted at 212 on abracket 213 attached to link 200. Actuator 208 is swung to and fro as:the machine is in operation by a link 214 connecting an arm 215 fixed tosleeve 209 and to an extension 21.6 to arm 88.

The detent has a feeler or foot 217 at its lower end engageable on thetop portion 218 of the magazines and also, an upwardly directed nger219. This linger is in the pathway of the actuator 208 in such positionthat if there is no magazine for foot 217 to contact, the arm 208 willpush the detent and with it link 200 to stop the loader. So long asthere is a magazine to be loaded, the foot is raised and nger 219 isheld down or out of the path of the actuator. `Thus the machine will bestopped and will not continue to deliver bobbins in the event thereshould be no magazine to receive them.

While it is preferred that a clutch be controlled to stop and start theloader once the motor is started, it is possible to employ means tostart and stop the motor itself and to control it by means functioningfrom rod 174, etc.

In the specification and claims the term bobbin is used with a broadermeaning, that is, it generally denotes the bobbin or core with a threadpackage wound on it asis the general practice in the art.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive concept may be carried o-ut in a number ofways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precisedetails described, but is intended to embrace all variations andmodifications thereof:` falling within the spirit of the invention andthe scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a machine `for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the' magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbinsthrough said counting means to a loading position, and means responsiveto said counting means for entering the magazine from beneath andlowering a predetermined number of bobbins into an aligned magazinechannel and for governing the indexing movements of the magazine.

2. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for deliveringbobbinsthrough said counting means to a loading position, support meansincluding a transverse member `adapted to be guided by and elevated to aposition 1l adjacent the upper end of-achannel, and means responsive tosaid counting meansifor controlling the Araising and retracting of Vthesupport-'means for lowing a predetermined number oi bobbinsV into( analigned magazine channel and for governing the indexing movement of themagazine. Y

3. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyverticallyy disposedv bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine` may move, means to control theV indexingof theA magazine alongthe track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor fordelivering bobbins through said counting means tothe accumulating means,andy means responsivel to said' counting means for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle or themechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexingthe magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins' in a repeatof the cycle.

Y 4'. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine'having generally`yvertically' disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along` which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingVor' the magazine along the track to present channels for loading invsequence, a counting means', a bobbin accumulating means comprisingslotted guides and chain carried plates spaced; to receive a pluralityof bobbins equal to the number to be loaded in achannel, a conveyor fordelivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulatingmea-ns, and means responsive to said counting means for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at eachy cycle of themechanism, lowering them intoa channel in saidv magazine and indexingthe magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeatof the cycle.

5. ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine havinf' generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazinel along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulatingy means comprisingslotted guides substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of amagazine and aplurality of chain carried plates spaced' to receive aplurality of bobbins equalto the number toV be loaded in a channel, aconveyor for delivering bobbins through said4` countingl me-ansto theaccumulating means, and'v means responsive to saidl counting means forgoverning the accumulation of a predetermined numberV of bobbins at:each: cycleof1 the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in saidmagazine and indexing the magazine to the 'next channel whileaccumulatingv bobbins in a repeat of the cycle.

6. ln-'a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallylvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of' atrack along which the magazine may move, means-to control the indexingof the magazine along the trackto present channels for loading insequence, a countingmeans comprising ashoeresiliently pressed to ayposition to` be displaced' by each passing bobbin, a bobbin accumulatingmeans, a conveyorffor delivering bobbinsthrough said counting means ytothe accumulating means, and means responsive to saidcountingmeans forgoverning theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at eachcycle of the mechanisnulowering them into a channel in saidmagazineandindexing. themagazine to the next channel whileaccumulatingbobbinsain. a repeat of the cycle. l

7. in; a machinefor loading'bobbinsl in a magazine havinggenerally'vertically disposedl bobbin receiving channels, thecombination of a track along which the magazine may.n1ove; meanstofcontrol the indexing of the magazine along the' track to presentchannelsfor loading in sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulatingmeans, a conveyor for delivering bobbinsv through said counting means tothe accumulating means, and means to the next channel while accumulatingbobbinsy in a repeat of the cycle.

8;'ln a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means toV control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means comprising a shoe resiliently pressed to aposition to be displaced by each passing bobbin, a bobbin accumulatingmeans comprising slotted guides substantially perpendicular to the pathof movement of a magazine and a plurality of chain carried plates spacedto receive a plurality of bobbins equal to the number to be loaded in achannel', a conveyor' for delivering bobbins through said counting meansto the accumulating means, and means comprising Va plurality ofratcheted cam members movable as controlled by said' counting means forgoverning the accumulation of a predetermined number ofk bobbins at eachcycle of the mechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazineand indexing the magazine to the next channel while accumula-tingbobbins in a repeat ofv the cycle.

9. In a machine for loading bobbinsV in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a. counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor fordelivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulatingmeans, and means responsive to said counting means for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbinsY at each cycle of themechanism, and means for lowering. said accumulated bobbinsV into achannel in the magazine at a speed relatively retarded as compared tothe speedat which they' would fall freely comprisingA a support" andmeans lor raising itA into a position just below the topoi f themagazine while gui-ding4 its ends in the channel. to be.

loaded and for releasing it as the accumulated bobbins Y are dropped.

ll); In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack alongwhich the magazine may move, means to control'the indexingofthe i magazine along. the track to present channels for load'- inginsequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyorfor deliveringV bobbins through said counting means to the accumulatingmeans, means ref sponsive to said counting means for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of themechanism, and means for lowering said accumulated bobbins into a.channel in the magazine at a speed relatively retarded as compared tothe speed at which they would fall freely comprising a support andmeans.for raising it into a position just below the top of thek magazine whileguiding its ends in the' channel to be loaded and for releasing it asthe accumulated bobbins are dropped, which comprises a ilexible means ateither end of saidsupport, guide means for restraining said exible meansto move generally horizontally and then vertically within the magazine,and

means` to reciprocate'- said exible means which includes a lever, camsmovable with the accumulation of bobbins and a resilient means foropposing the action of saidcams, i

ll. Mechanism as defined in claim l0, wherein said cams are carried by ashaft rotated step by step as the 13 counting means is affected bydelivery of bobbins to the accumulating means.

12. Mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said flexible meanscomprises closely wound springs and the guide means therefor includessheaves about which these springs make a turn of approximately a rightangle.

13. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbing receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to index the magazinestep by step as its channels are loaded which comprises a series ofstopping abutments at the side `olf the magazine and a double pawlescapement means engageable with said abutments, a rotatable cam meansand means affected thereby for actuating said escapement pawls, aconveyor for delivering bobbins to a loading position and a feelermember for indicating each time a bobbin 1s so delivered, and means foradvancing said cam means as controlled by said feeler member.

14. Mechanism as dened in claim 13, wherein said magazines are movablealong an inclined track comprising side members between which aplurality of rollers are provided sufcient to support the magazine as itmoves from one end to the other of the said track.

15. Mechanism as defined in claim 13, wherein said double pawlescapement is supplemented by a safety locking means and a cam controlfor governing the position of said locking means.

16. Mechanism as dened in claim 13 wherein said double pawl escapementis supplemented by a safety locking means, gravity means for disengagingsaid locking means and resilient means affected by a cam for moving itto effective relationship with the said abutments.

17. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means and a conveyor means for delivering bobbinsthrough said counting means to a loading position, and means forlowering a predetermined number of bobbins into an aligned magazinechannel and for governing the indexing movements of the magazine whichcomprises a shaft, a ratcheting disk xed to one end of said shaft andcam disks fixed to the other end thereof, a continuously reciprocatedpawl for moving the shaft and disks thereon normally held out `ofengagement with the ratcheting disk and means functioning from thecounting means for causing said pawl to engage the disk and move it andthe cam disks one step for each boblbin aiecting the counting means.

18. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading insequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, a conveyor fordelivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulatingmeans, and means responsive to said counting means for governing the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of themechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexingthe magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeatof the cycle, and means cooperating with said conveyor for stopping theloader upon attempted passage of more than one bobbin into the spaceoccupied by a single tread of said conveyor.

19. Mechanism as dened in claim 18 wherein means for stopping the loadercomprises a hinged plate overlying the conveyor and adapted upon passageof more than a single bobbin into the space of one conveyor tread, to belifted and to actuate a loader stopping means.

20. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically ldisposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to control the indexingof the magazine along the track to present channels for loading in.sequence, a counting means, a bobbin accumulating means, and a conveyorfor delivering bobbins through said counting means to the accumulatingmeans, and means responsive to said counting means for governing theaccumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins at each cycle of themechanism, lowering them into a channel in said magazine and indexingthe magazine to the next channel while accumulating bobbins in a repeatof the cycle, and means cooperating with said conveyor for ejecting abobbin passing in said conveyor while improperly oriented.

21. Mechanism as defined in claim 20, wherein said bobbin ejecting meanscomprises an end raising cam, a plate over one end of which the raisedend of an improperly oriented bobbin is elevated by said cam, and aspring means for projecting a bobbin thus elevated beyond the range ofsaid conveyor.

22. In a machine for loading bobbins in a magazine having generallyvertically disposed bobbin receiving channels, the combination of atrack along which the magazine may move, means to stop the magazine insuccessively advancing, step by step movement which com prisescontrolled escapement means, a counting means and a conveyor means fordelivering bobbins through said counting means to a loading position,and means responsive to said counting means and guided for entering themagazine from beneath for lowering a predetermined number of bobbinsinto an aligned magazine channel and for governing the indexingmovements of said magazine.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,896,639 Meyer et al. Feb. 7, 1933 2,556,082 Hartness Iune 5, 19512,643,043 Okulitch et al June 23, 1953 2,684,799 Holstein July 27, 19542,703,669 Voegelin Mar. 8, 1955 2,746,662 Thompson et al. May 22, 1956

